Why won't my WinBook connect to the wireless network?

July 2, 2005 6:50 PM

The dreaded 'TCP/IP is not enabled for this connection. Cannot proceed.' My wireless card sees the network, but will not actually connect. The web is full of discussions on this problem that end in hopelessness.

My setup: WinBook J4, WinXP Pro SP1, Pentium 4 2.4GHz, 480 MB RAM, 35 MB hard drive. McKaffee was installed, but I removed it (the problem existed before I removed it). The wireless network is not protected by a password, and other computers are connecting to it fine. ipconfig gives a blank space next to 'default gateway.'

This computer was just given to me, so I don't know it's history. When I booted it up, it claimed to be installing various windows updates...which it was apparently doing through the wireless network. I will answer any and all questions about the specifics of my system, and I will try any solution that doesn't seem batshit insane.

posted by bingo to computers & internet (15 comments total)

Oh, I should mention that the 'TCP/IP is not enabled for this connection' message is something I see when I try to 'repair' the connection (with the actual 'repair' option when examining the connection via the control panel).
posted by bingo at 6:56 PM on July 2, 2005

Try booting off a Knoppix live CD and see if you can connect to the network from there. That will tell you if it is physically possible to do this, and if you should bother f'ing with Windows and thus ruining the rest of your weekend.
posted by michaelkuznet at 6:57 PM on July 2, 2005

well, i know from the person who gave me the computer that it has worked with this wireless network before (it's his network). I suppose something could have changed....I'm not sure I can negotiate setting up wireless in knoppix in less than a weekend anyway...
posted by bingo at 7:01 PM on July 2, 2005

You might try downloading a copy of Network Magic-- it's supposed to help with problems like this. I haven't used it yet, but it has received some good reviews, and it's free trial.
posted by Marky at 7:15 PM on July 2, 2005

I tried Network Magic just now...it simply lets me know that I'm not connected to my router. Further investigation just leads me to help files advising me to make sure everything is plugged in.
posted by bingo at 7:59 PM on July 2, 2005

have you tried enabling TCP/IP for the connection?
posted by quonsar at 8:36 PM on July 2, 2005

Install SP2 and reset your network configuration.
posted by cup at 8:37 PM on July 2, 2005

Bingo, quonsar might've nailed it. Click on Network Places, View Network Connections, Right click on your wireless card, click properties, and see if "Interent Protocol(TCP/IP)" is anywhere in the "This Connection uses the following items:" list... if it isn't, click install, Protocol, Add, "Microsoft TCP/IP version 6".
posted by SpecialK at 9:22 PM on July 2, 2005

quansar/SpecialK:

TCP/IP is not listed in the properties of my wireless card, and neither is an Install button. However, listed under 'Network Connections' I also have 'Network Bridge.' It is there that TCP/IP is listed, with the box next to it already checked. I admit that I do not know what this means.
posted by bingo at 9:28 PM on July 2, 2005

Ah, and that's the key. The 'bridge' is there to enable my computer to act as a bridge between two other computers. I removed my wireless card from the bridge, disabled my ethernet connection, and viola, I'm connected by wireless. Thanks to all who answered (I may go ahead and get SP-2 anyway, though I thought I'd heard that it has problems).
posted by bingo at 9:57 PM on July 2, 2005

SP2 is an extremely recommended upgrade.
posted by mosch at 12:24 AM on July 3, 2005

bingo: unless you're using some weird software, GET SP2... the problems it had at the beginning are now solved for the most part 'cept with highly obscure things.
posted by SpecialK at 6:49 PM on July 3, 2005

Okay...I installed SP2, and now I can't get back on the wireless network again...even after following all the advice in cup's link (except the file that needs to be downloaded, as I'll have to get it on another computer and transfer it with a disc). Any suggestions?
posted by bingo at 11:38 PM on July 3, 2005

SP2 includes a new Wireless Network Set-up Wizard. Have you tried that?
posted by cup at 11:18 AM on July 4, 2005

Since my original post, I've moved to a different location, where I am hooked up by ethernet, and I show I'm both sending and receiving packets, but still can't load a web page...

Thanks to all who have answered.
posted by bingo at 4:11 PM on July 7, 2005